Three researchers from Health are among the grant recipients from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Research Leader Programme, which supports excellent research and development of research leaders at different career stages.

Clinical Associate Professor, MD Anne Skakkebæk has received an Ascending Investigator grant of DKK 9,953,176. She is trying to understand the genetic factors and mechanisms lying at the root of Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome, for example. Among other things, she is studying how these syndromes lead to increased disease burden throughout life, e.g. in the form of congenital malformation, infertility, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric disorders. 

Clinical Associate Professor and Consultant Astrid Juhl Terkelsen has received an Ascending Investigator grant of DKK 9,980,164. Her research examines the early stages of Parkinson's disease with focus on building a protein in the peripheral nervous system. By screening potential Parkinson's patients, Astrid Juhl Therkelsen aims to provide earlier disease-modifying treatments while building a biobank. The purpose of the biobank is to study risk factors and potentially improve both diagnosis and prevention of the disease.

MD and researcher Mette Julsgaard has received an Emerging Investigator grant of DKK 9,996,490 to set up her own research group. She is studying the effects of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its treatment. Mette Juulsgaard is particularly concerned with the use of immunosuppressant drugs and their effect on foetal development. Her research aims to improve care for women with IBD and other autoimmune disorders and to establish evidence-based treatment plans for pregnant IBD patients in Denmark.

The coverage is based on press material from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.